5 Animal Jobs You Didn't Know Exist

You've always wanted to work with animals but never got around to studying zoology or going to veterinary school. If you've discarded your dream for this reason, you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are other avenues you can take. There are actually a number of animal jobs that don't require a specialized degree. Check them out below. They're all real jobs that are hiring now.

Getty ImagesPet Hotel Customer Service Representative
Most customer service representatives, perhaps with the exception of those working in celebrity matchmaking, probably wouldn't like to receive kisses from their clientele. But one place where working the desk and accepting smooches is a requisite part of the job is at the Best Friends Pet Care pet hotel. No, you won't be feeding Fido grapes off the vine – that would make him sick – but the pet hotel specifies that you must be ready to roll up your sleeves and mop up the occasional "accident" if you work at one of its 42 locations nationwide.

Animal Welfare Auditor
These highly necessary people make sure that animals raised to be our food live in humane conditions. NSF International, an independent public health organization, is looking for certified auditors who are willing to travel. The position is home-based!

Education/Animal Interaction Guide
When you were younger you read every animal book in the library, chirped at guinea pigs in the pet store hoping to spark a discussion and even knocked your head against the windshield of your parents' car for good measure – but eventually you grew up and grudgingly retired the idea that you would become the next Dr. Dolittle. Perhaps there's another way to channel your love and ample knowledge of the animal kingdom: you could become a Six Flags animal tour guide. The world's largest amusement park is hiring guides to educate the crowds about their animal attractions, including the Dolphin Discovery, Sharks in the Dark, and Backstage Safari programs.

Getty ImagesRodent Surgery Technician
This is a job for people with nimble fingers and a love of science. You just need a high school diploma and certification to be an animal lab technician to operate on these little critters. We're imagining tiny scalpels and hospital gowns, but that may just be the influence of watching Stuart Little.

Flickr/Bradley StablerLife Support Operator – Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium in Houston, Texas wants a full-time plumber for its marine life. The good news is you wouldn't exactly be unclogging manatee toilets – have you seen the size of those things? – but you do need knowledge of aquarium life support systems. For things that swim, their entire underwater home is a bidet. Someone has to keep it clean.